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Policy 14I: Weapons Control

WHEREAS the unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, and other dangerous or illegal weapons on or within any University of Colorado campus, leased building, areas under the jurisdiction of the local campus police department or areas where such possession interferes with the learning and working environment is inconsistent with the academic mission of the university and, in fact, seriously undermines it;

WHEREAS the unauthorized possession of such weapons threatens the tranquility of the educational environment in an intimidating way and it contributes in an offensive manner to an unacceptable climate of violence;

WHEREAS the university educational mission should attempt to teach and model those values which are held to be important to the nation as a whole;

WHEREAS in passing the Colorado Concealed Carry Act, Colorado Revised Statute 18-12-201 et seq., Coloradoâ€™s General Assembly authorized qualified citizens to obtain a permit to carry concealed weapons and the Colorado Supreme Court has held that the Act applies to university property;

WHEREAS the Board of Regents and the University of Colorado are committed to upholding the law, recognizing the right of citizens to protect themselves and others in accordance with the Colorado Concealed Carry Act, and preserving the University of Colorado campuses as safe and tranquil learning environments;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the unauthorized possession of the firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or illegal weapons on or within any University of Colorado campus, leased building, other area under the jurisdiction of the local campus police department is prohibited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the University of Colorado shall not, by rule or regulation, restrict the ability of any person who has been lawfully issued a permit to carry a concealed handgun under the provisions of Colorado law to exercise the right to concealed carry in any public places or publicly accessible buildings on the University of Colorado campuses. It shall not be a violation of this policy for such person to carry a concealed handgun consistently with the requirements of Colorado law. When acting pursuant to such a permit and acting in conformity with Colorado law possession of a concealed handgun on university property shall not be deemed to be â€œunauthorized.â€

In those situations where the University of Colorado grants access to buildings or facilities pursuant to a contractual relationship, such as a landlord-tenant relationship for access to student housing facilities or a licensor-licensee relationship for access to events that are not generally open to the public, the chancellor of each campus shall have the authority to enter contracts with students, employees, and guests of the University of Colorado governing the terms of that relationship, including contractually limiting the ability of persons to exercise the ability to possess a concealed firearm in those buildings or facilities. In the event that a person violates the terms of such a contract, the person may be excluded from the building or facility to which he had been granted access pursuant to the contractual relationship.

A "dangerous or illegal weapon" may be an instrument of offensive or defensive combat; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring a person; an instrumentality designed or likely to produce bodily harm; or an instrument by the use of which a fatal wound may probably or possible be given. A "dangerous or illegal weapon' may include, but not be limited to, the following: any firearm, slingshot, cross-knuckles, knuckles of lead, brass or other metal, any bowie knife, dirk, dagger or similar knife, or any knife having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade of which can be opened by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle or other mechanical contrivance. A harmless instrumentality designed to look like a firearm, explosive, or dangerous weapon which is used by or is in the possession of a person with the intent to cause fear in or assault to another person is expressly included within the meaning of a firearm, explosive, or dangerous weapon.

Possession of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous weapons is permitted for peace officers or for others who have written permission from the chief of police for those campuses which have such an officer or from the chancellor after consultation with the chief of police. Firearm storage may be provided by campus police as a service to students or employees residing in campus housing.

FURTHER RESOLVED that the individual found guilty via a due process procedure of the unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or illegal weapons, and who is found to have intentionally or recklessly used or possessed such weapons in a way that would intimidate, harass, injure or otherwise interfere with the learning and working environment of the university, shall be banned from the university campus, leased building, or other area under the control of university campus police. In the case of the University of Colorado Denver, officials shall make every effort to work with the Auraria Higher Education Center officials to obtain such ban. This section is not intended to limit the discretion of the university to institute summary suspension proceedings.

In the case of a student who is found guilty via a due process procedure to have intentionally or recklessly used or possessed an unauthorized weapon in a way that would intimidate, harass, injure or otherwise interfere with the learning and working environment of the university, the minimum disciplinary sanction shall be expulsion.

In the case of an employee who is found guilty via a due process procedure to have intentionally or recklessly used or possessed an unauthorized weapons in a way that would intimidate, harass, injure or otherwise interfere with the learning and working environment of the university, the minimum disciplinary sanction shall be termination of employment, subject to such other rules governing the employment relationship.

FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is intended to clearly state expected standards of personal conduct for employees, students, and visitors;

FURTHER RESOLVED that to the extent that institutional policies need to be amended to reflect the intent of this resolution, the administration is directed to proceed to make such changes.